U.S. patent number 7,789,440 [Application Number 10/555,203] was granted by the patent office on 2010-09-07 for motor vehicle door lock.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Kiekert AG. Invention is credited to Ludger Graute, Omer Inan.
United States Patent |
7,789,440 |
Graute , et al. |
September 7, 2010 |
Motor vehicle door lock
Abstract
Vehicle door latch, in which the catch comprises a casing made
of sound-proofing material, the casing containing a buffer pocket,
situated behind the primary position in clockwise direction and the
buffer pocket being stretched around up to the area of the primary
position, forming an overtravel stop cooperating with the pawl.
Inventors: |
Graute; Ludger (Essen,
DE), Inan; Omer (Essen, DE) |
Assignee: |
Kiekert AG (Heiligenhaus,
DE)
|
Family
ID: |
33440653 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/555,203 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2004 |
PCT
Filed: |
April 30, 2004 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/DE2004/000914 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
November 01, 2005 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2004/101929 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
November 25, 2004 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20060202487 A1 |
Sep 14, 2006 |
|
US 20080012353 A9 |
Jan 17, 2008 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
May 8, 2003 [DE] |
|
|
103 20 443 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
292/216;
292/DIG.73; 292/DIG.56; 292/DIG.57; 292/341.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
77/38 (20130101); E05B 77/40 (20130101); E05B
85/26 (20130101); Y10T 292/688 (20150401); Y10T
292/1047 (20150401); Y10S 292/73 (20130101); Y10S
292/56 (20130101); Y10S 292/57 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05C
3/06 (20060101); E05C 3/16 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;292/216,341.12,DIG.56,DIG.57,DIG.73 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23 20 351 |
|
Oct 1974 |
|
DE |
|
102 16 313 |
|
Oct 2003 |
|
DE |
|
0 628 682 |
|
Dec 1994 |
|
EP |
|
EP 995870 |
|
Oct 1999 |
|
IT |
|
Primary Examiner: Lugo; Carlos
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Matthias Scholl, PC Scholl;
Matthias
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle door latch with at least one locking mechanism (1, 4)
comprising a pawl (4); a catch (1) having a primary position (2)
for engaging said pawl (4) when the catch is in a closed position,
and a first position (3) for engaging said pawl (4) when the catch
is in an open position; and an inlet opening (5) for receiving a
catch bolt (6); wherein said catch (1) comprises a casing (7), said
casing (7) being made of a soundproofing material and having a
first buffer pocket (8), said first buffer pocket (8) being
disposed next to said primary position (2) in the clockwise
direction; said first buffer pocket (8) forms an overtravel stop
(9) for said pawl (4); said pawl (4) is at least partially encased
by a soundproofing material; and said pawl (4) abuts said
overtravel stop (9) when said catch is rotated counterclockwise
during closing of the latch up to a mechanical rotational limit of
said catch (1).
2. The vehicle door latch of claim 1, wherein said pawl (4)
comprises further a surface coating of anti-seizing varnish or
anti-corrosion agent.
3. The vehicle door latch of claim1, wherein said casing (7)
further comprises a second buffer pocket (11), said second buffer
pocket (11) being disposed between said primary position (2) and
said first position (3), and said primary position (2) being
disposed between said first buffer pocket (8) and said second
buffer pocket (11).
4. The vehicle door latch of claim 3, wherein said second buffer
pocket is of a straight design.
5. The vehicle door latch of claim 1, wherein a transmission ratio
between said catch (1) and said pawl (4) is greater than 1.
6. The vehicle door latch of claim 1, wherein said first buffer
pocket (8) buffers said catch bolt (6) during gripping.
7. The vehicle door latch of claim 1, wherein said first buffer
pocket (8) reduces noise associated with closing of the vehicle
door latch.
8. The vehicle door latch of claim 1, wherein said first buffer
pocket (8) forms an overtravel stop (9) for said pawl (4), said
overtravel stop (9) operating so as to prevent said pawl (4) from
leaving from said primary position (2) upon completion of a closing
operation of the vehicle door latch.
9. The vehicle door latch of claim 1, wherein said first buffer
pocket (8) forms an overtravel stop (9) for said pawl (4), said
overtravel stop (9) providing a resilient operation of said catch
bolt (6) and said pawl (4).
10. The vehicle door latch of claim 1, wherein said first buffer
pocket (8) comprises further reinforcement ribs (13), said
reinforcement ribs (13) acting as overtravel stop (9).
11. The vehicle door latch of claim 1, wherein said first buffer
pocket is of an L-shaped design.
12. A vehicle door latch with at least one locking mechanism (1, 4)
comprising a pawl (4); a catch (1) having a primary position (2)
for engaging said pawl (4) when the catch is in a closed position;
and an inlet opening (5) for receiving a catch bolt (6); wherein
said catch (1) comprises a casing (7), said casing (7) being made
of a soundproofing material and having a first buffer pocket (8),
said first buffer pocket (8) being disposed next to said primary
position (2) in the clockwise direction; said first buffer pocket
(8) being curved towards the primary position (2)-and having an
L-shape; said first buffer pocket (8) forms an overtravel stop (9)
for said pawl (4); and said pawl (4) abuts said overtravel stop (9)
when said catch is rotated counterclockwise during closing of the
latch up to a mechanical rotational limit of said catch (1).
13. The vehicle door latch of claim 12, wherein said pawl (4) is at
least partially encased by a soundproofing material.
14. The vehicle door latch of claim 13, wherein said casing (7)
further comprises a second buffer pocket (11), said second buffer
pocket (11) being disposed between said primary position (2) and
said first position (3), and said primary position (2) being
disposed between said first buffer pocket (8) and said second
buffer pocket (11).
15. The vehicle door latch of claim 14, wherein said second buffer
pocket is of a straight design.
16. The vehicle door latch of claim 15, wherein said second buffer
pocket has a constant cross-sectional area.
17. The vehicle door latch of claim 14, wherein in its primary
closed position, the pawl abuts an area of said catch between said
first pocket and said second pocket.
18. The vehicle door latch of claim 12, wherein said pawl (4)
comprises further a surface coating of anti-seizing varnish or
anti-corrosion agent.
19. The vehicle door latch of claim 12, wherein said casing (7)
further comprises a second buffer pocket (11), said second buffer
pocket (11) being disposed between said primary position (2) and
said first position (3), and said primary position (2) being
disposed between said first buffer pocket (8) and said second
buffer pocket (11).
20. The vehicle door latch of claim 19, wherein said second buffer
pocket is of a straight design.
21. The vehicle door latch of claim 20, wherein said second buffer
pocket has a constant cross-sectional area.
22. The vehicle door latch of claim 19, wherein in its primary
closed position, the pawl abuts an area of said catch between said
first pocket and said second pocket.
23. The vehicle door latch of claim 12, wherein a transmission
ratio between said catch (1) and said pawl (4) is greater than
1.
24. The vehicle door latch of claim 12, wherein said first buffer
pocket (8) buffers said catch bolt (6) during gripping.
25. The vehicle door latch of claim 12, wherein said first buffer
pocket (8) reduces noise associated with closing of the vehicle
door latch.
26. The vehicle door latch of claim 12, wherein said first buffer
pocket (8) forms an overtravel stop (9) for said pawl (4), said
overtravel stop (9) operating so as to prevent said pawl (4) from
leaving from said primary position (2) upon completion of a closing
operation of the vehicle door latch.
27. The vehicle door latch of claim 12, wherein said first buffer
pocket (8) forms an overtravel stop (9) for said pawl (4), said
overtravel stop (9) providing a resilient operation of said catch
bolt (6) and said pawl (4).
28. The vehicle door latch of claim 12, wherein said first buffer
pocket (8) comprises further reinforcement ribs (13), said
reinforcement ribs (13) acting as overtravel stop (9).
29. The vehicle door latch of claim 12, wherein said first buffer
pocket is of an L-shaped design.
30. A vehicle door latch with at least one locking mechanism (1, 4)
comprising a pawl (4); a catch (1) having a primary position (2)
for engaging said pawl (4) when the catch is in a closed position,
and a first position (3) for engaging said pawl (4) when the catch
is in an open position; and an inlet opening (5) for receiving a
catch bolt (6); wherein said catch (1) comprises a casing (7), said
casing (7) being made of a soundproofing material and having a
first buffer pocket (8), said first buffer pocket (8) being
disposed next to said primary position (2) in the clockwise
direction; said first buffer pocket (8) forms an overtravel stop
(9) for said pawl (4); said pawl (4) is at least partially encased
by a soundproofing material; and said overtravel stop (9) cushions
said pawl (4) when said catch is in an overtravel position.
31. The vehicle door latch of claim 30, wherein said first pocket
cushions said pawl in said overtravel position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a National Stage Application of International Patent
Application No. PCT/DE 2004/000914, with an international filing
date of Apr. 30, 2004, which is based on German Patent Application
No. 103 20 443.1, filed May 8, 2003. The contents of both of these
specifications are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention refers to a vehicle door latch with at least one
locking mechanism, comprising mainly a catch with a primary
position and, where applicable, a first position for an engaging
pawl and containing an inlet opening as well as a catch bolt
cooperating with the catch.
2. Description of Related Art
In the reference system of the vehicle door latch, the catch bolt
moves into the inlet opening. Generally, the catch bolt is located
on the vehicle body, opposite to which the vehicle door latch is
moved with its inlet opening.
With vehicle door latches of this kind, constant efforts are made
to improve soundproofing when, on one hand, the catch bolt moves
into the inlet opening and is held by the catch in its primary
position, whilst, on the other hand, it also has to be ensured that
the pawl cooperating with the catch does not leave the primary
position, if the catch carries out an overtravel as part of its
closing movement. Such an overtravel is necessary because of the
tolerances required between the catch and pawl for the closing and
opening movement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Below, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to
only one embodiment illustrated by the following drawings:
FIG. 1 represents a plan view of a vehicle door latch according to
the invention with a back plate, catch, pawl and an indicated
catch;
FIG. 2 represents an enlarged section of the object shown in FIG.
1, in which the pawl lies against the overtravel stop on the catch;
and
FIG. 3 represents the object shown in FIG. 2, with the pawl in
primary position.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention described herein provides a vehicle door latch with
at least one locking mechanism (1, 4), comprising mainly a catch
(1) with a primary position (2) and, where applicable, a first
position (3) for an engaging pawl (4) and an inlet opening (5) as
well as a catch bolt (6) cooperating with the catch (1) and in
which at least the catch (1) contains a casing (7) made of
soundproofing material and the casing (7) contains a buffer pocket
(8) situated behind the primary position (2) in clockwise
direction, said buffer pocket being stretched around up to the area
of the primary position (2), forming an overtravel stop (9) for
cooperation with the pawl 4.
In certain embodiments of the invention described herein, the pawl
(4) is at least partially encased by soundproofing material
(10).
In certain embodiments of the invention described herein, the pawl
(4) contains a surface coating of anti-seizing varnish or
anti-corrosion agent.
In certain embodiments of the invention described herein,
soundproofing material (10) is a plastic, such as polyurethane.
In certain embodiments of the invention described herein, the
casing (7) of the catch (1) contains a buffer pocket (11) between
primary position (2) and first position (3).
In certain embodiments of the invention described herein, the
transmission ratio of catch (1)/pawl (4) is reduced, i.e. to
2:1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on the technical problem of creating a
vehicle door latch of the embodiment described above, that is
characterized by noise reduction and a reliable function during the
cooperation of the catch, pawl and catch bolt.
In order to solve this technical problem, the invention provides a
vehicle door latch with at least one locking mechanism, comprising
mainly a catch with a primary position and, where applicable, a
first position for an engaging pawl and a catch bolt moving into an
inlet opening and cooperating with the catch, with at least the
catch containing a casing of soundproofing material and the casing
containing a buffer pocket situated behind the primary position in
clockwise direction, said buffer pocket being stretched around up
to the area of the primary position, forming an overtravel stop for
the pawl.
These measures of the invention ensure, in the first instance, that
the catch bolt moving into the inlet opening during the closing of
a respective vehicle door in the reference system of the vehicle
door latch is buffered by the catch during gripping as a result of
the buffer pocket integrated in the casing of the catch.
Consequently, not only the casing consisting of soundproofing
material but, in particular, also the buffer pocket ensures a
quieter closing operation as well as a considerable noise reduction
when the vehicle door is closed. It is also ensured that the
reliable function of the vehicle door latch of the invention is
guaranteed even if the catch carries out an overtravel as part of
the closing operation, as the overtravel stop for the pawl ensures
that the pawl remains in the primary position area of the
catch.
The catch carries out a limited overtravel, restricted by a stop,
e.g. in the back plate or latch housing, until the overtravel stop
comes into contact with the pawl. Due to the cooperation of the
overtravel stop on the catch with the pawl, the pawl cannot leave
the primary position area and lies flush against the primary
position of the spring-loaded catch upon completion of the closing
operation.
Also, in case of an overtravel of the catch, a noise reduction
between the catch and pawl is achieved, as the overtravel stop of
the pawl on the catch is formed by the buffer pocket stretched
around into this area, which also guarantees a resilient
interception of not only the catch bolt but also of the pawl during
overtravel, as part of an overtravel compensation.
Other characteristics offered by the invention are detailed below.
The pawl can, for instance, also be only partially encased by a
soundproofing material to further enhance soundproofing. This
soundproofing material can be a thermoplastic plastic, such as
polyurethane. The casing of the catch can also contain a buffer
pocket between the primary position and the first position, to
achieve further soundproofing, when the pawl is moved from the
first position into the primary position. Finally, in a vehicle
door latch according to the invention, there is also the
possibility of reducing the transmission ration of the catch/pawl
to, for example 2:1. This achieves, on one hand, a more compact
design and optimizes, on the other hand, kinematics
relationships.
The figures show a vehicle door latch with at least one locking
mechanism, comprising mainly a catch 1 with a primary position 2
and first position 3 for an engaging pawl 4 and a catch bolt 6
moving into an inlet opening 5 and cooperating with catch 1, said
catch bolt being only indicated. As soon as the pawl 4 is lifted,
the spring-loaded catch 1 turns clockwise and consequently to the
open position. At the same time, the catch bolt 6 is released,
allowing the respective vehicle door--not shown--to be opened. The
lifting of the pawl 4 can be by purely mechanical means by a lever
gear--not shown--or with the aid of a motor and, in particular, an
electrical motor. During the closing operation, the catch 1 turns
anti-clockwise according to the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1
and is able to carry out an overtravel. It must, however, be
ensured that the assigned pawl 4 does not leave the primary
position area and then engages easily in the primary position
2.
Catch 1 contains a casing 7 made of soundproofing material. This
casing 7 contains a buffer pocket 8 situated behind the primary
position 2 in clockwise direction, said buffer pocket being
stretched around up to the area of the primary position 2, forming
an overtravel stop 9 for the pawl 4. As part of the closing
movement and an overtravel, catch 1 rests with its overtravel stop
9 against the pawl 4. This ensures that the pawl 4 does not leave
the primary position and then easily engages in primary position 2,
especially as the catch 1 is spring-loaded in clockwise
direction.--Also the pawl 4 itself can, at least partially, be
encased by soundproofing material 10. The pawl 4 can, however, also
contain a surface coating of anti-seizing varnish or anti-corrosion
agent. Where the pawl is partially encased, this surface coating
can be limited to the areas not encased.
The soundproofing material 10 is a thermoplastic plastic, e.g.
polyurethane. The casing 7 of catch 1 can also contain a buffer
pocket 11 for pawl 4 between primary position 2 and first position
3. This buffer pocket 11 is of a predominantly straight design,
whilst the buffer pocket 8, forming the overtravel stop 9, is
curved towards the primary position 2. Both buffer pockets 8, 11
are designed as slotted pockets.
The transmission ratio of the catch 1/pawl 4 is reduced to
2:1.--FIG. 1 also shows a stop 12 in the back plate or latch
housing, producing the restriction of the overtravel of catch 1,
described above. The enlarged view of FIG. 1 shows another
modification, in which the buffer pocket 8 can contain
reinforcement ribs 13, in order to be able to act easily and
permanently as overtravel stop 9.
* * * * *